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“As far as lifetime costs are concerned, electric buses are estimated to be the cheapest alternative for the city."

Espoo received an investment aid of 1.2 million euros to start using electric buses

The Ministry of Employment and the Economy has granted the city of Espoo an investment aid of 1.2 million euros to purchase charging devices for electric buses. With the help of the aid, Espoo can plan and expand the charging point network that electric buses need. The aid is 30 percent of Espoo's four-million investment in charging devices.

The aid is subject to the condition that the project will be started by 31 August 2016 and finished on 31 December 2020 at the latest.

At the moment, there is one charging station for electric buses in Espoo, and it is situated in Tapiola.

“New bus terminals that are connected to the west metro are being built in Matinkylä and Tapiola, and when the metro extension is finished, a terminal will be built in Espoonlahti. In addition to the new terminals, other terminals and the busiest turning points in Espoo are preparing for the charging of electric buses”, says Planning Chief Sinikka Ahtiainen.

“As far as lifetime costs are concerned, electric buses are estimated to be the cheapest alternative for the city. Because they are emission-free, they contribute significantly to the city structure. Our target is to improve air quality and to reduce noise, especially in city centres, with the help of electric buses”, adds Pasi Laitala, Director for Sustainable Development.

Espoo collaborates with Helsinki Region Transport (HRT) and HRT communities to reduce emissions caused by collective transport. The city will prepare a plan for the following ten years to start using electric buses and buses that run on renewable energy.